Equalizing device for rayon spinning



Sept. 18, 1934. ALLEN 1,974,323

EQUALIZING DEVICE FOR RAYON SPINNING Filed Oct. 5, 1931 274 r W j I 3% J01 T a INVENTOR GEORGE M. ALLEN f}! 71219 a liar-n95- Patented Sept. 18, 1934 PATENT OFFICE UNITED STATES 1,974,323 EQUALIZING DEVICE For. RAYON srmmc George Morrison. Allen, Ridley Park, Pa., assignor to The Viscose Company, Marcus Hook, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 5, 1931, Serial No. 567,058 f 9 Claims. (01. 137-71) nect an equalizing chamber in the line which conducts the viscous stream from the pump to the spinneret. This chamber heretofore has enclosed a cushion of air which served to absorb pulsations of the viscous stream due to the action of the pump, and thereby made possible a more.

uniform thread. It has hereto-fore been known to have apparatus locating the equalizing chamber in the direct line of flow of the viscous stream and sealing the air cushion against contact with the viscous material. In this apparatus the equalizing chamber is fabricated with the usual filtering device. This apparatus has proved highly successful but it has been found that after extended periods of use the air leaks out and the production must be interrupted to supply more air to the air chamber of the equalizing device.

It is an object of this invention to provide an equalizing device which has all the advantages of my prior invention and in which the cushioning medium will not need to be renewed for a number of months, if at all.

Another object is to provide an improved .cushioning medium for the equalizing device which medium will not be subject to loss or dissipation.

Another object of my invention is to reduce the unit cost of rayon spinning by reducing (1) the frequency of the periods of enforced idleness of the apparatus, and (2) the labor and material used in repairs during such periods.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as it is described in connection with the accompanying drawing:

In the drawing:- Figure 1 is a broken elevation view of a combined filter and equalizing chamber embodying my dinal midsection.

Figure 2 is a midsection view of the equalizing device shown in Figure 1, but showing the position of the parts when under working pressure.

Figure 3 is a midsection view like Figure 2 but of a modified equalizing device constructed according to the principles of my invention.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the device of Figure 3 as it appears when subjected to working pressure.

' sits side from passage 18. As the viscous mixture invention, showing part of the device in longitu- Figure 5 is a midsection view like Figure 2 but of a third form of my invention.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, but showing the device of Figure 5 as it appears when subjected to working pressure.

Referring to the drawing, the casing 10 for a conventional filtering device 12 has, at one end, a reduced neck 14 with a central bore therethrough, and an enlarged head 16 screwed into the other end. The head 16 has a central passage 18 communicating with a similar passage 20 in the filter 12. Passage 18 leads to the passage 20 from one side of the bottom of a screw threaded well, in which are secured a flexible diaphragm 22, preferably of rubber, and a hollow, semispherical cover 24 having an outtumed flange 26 which is engaged by the bottom of a threaded collar 28 screwed into the well to hold the cover and diaphragm in place. By this combination an air filled chamber 29 which acts as a cushion for the diaphragm, is provided between the cover and diaphragm. The viscous mixture flows beneath the flexible diaphragm 22 from a passage 30 leading into the bottom of the well at the oppostarts to flow through the device the pressure applied to it by the usual pump (not shown) causes the diaphragm to bulge, as it tends to assume a semi-spherical shape. L

I have found that after long periods the air leaks out from the air cushion 29 letting the diaphragm approach the exact contour of the cover and. reducing the efiectiveness of the equalizer. Therefore in addition to or in lieu of the air cushion, I provide a conical wire spring 32 between the cover and the diaphragm. The small end of the spring seats in the top of the cover around a teat 34 in the center of the cover, while the large end of the spring seats in a metal cap 36 which rests upon the center of the diaphragm. This cap 36 is preferably circular with its periphery turned up to counteract any tendency of the spring to slip off it or the cap to cut the diaphragm. The cap also is made slightly concave, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to accommodate and co-operate better with the diaphragm when pressure is applied thereto under working conditions.

Figures 3 and 4 show another form of diaphragm support or cushion comprising a truncated-conical rubber block 40, the smaller or upper base thereof, having a depression for the teat 34 of the cover while the lower or larger base rests on the diaphragm. Fig. 4 shows the form taken by the block 40 when the equalizer is subjected to working pressure. 1m

so I

Figures 5 and 6 show a third fcrmof the invention in which the cover is filled with a sponge rubber filling 50, Figure 6 showing the form assumed by this device when subjected to working pres sure.

In all the forms described the cover may be provided. with a vent hole 25such as is shown in Figs. 5 and 6 for the air within the cover. When this hole is drilled the diaphragm depends entirely on its own strength and upon the spring 32 or rubber block 40 or rubber filling 50 for-support and cushioning action, to absorb the pulsations of the viscous stream.

I have found that the device worksfsatisfactorily whether or not the vent hole 25 is used, but longer life may be expected when thehole 2 5 is not present since the air and spring, or rubber, work together to bring about the cushioning effect of the diaphragm.

It will be obvious that many other cushioning mediums beside the spring and rubber mediums shown will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore I do not limit the invention to these specific mediums but I claim broadly as my invention the concept of a cushioning medium, which is not subject to loss or dissipation, for support of and cooperation with the flexible diaphragm. 3

1. In an apparatus. for manufacturing threads or filaments from solutions of cellulose or cellulose esters having a pump for pumping the viscous stream to a spinneret, an equalizing device for dampening the pulsations from the pump, com- ,prising a hollow cover, a flexible diaphragm beneath and engaged by the periphery of said cover forming a chamber between the cover and diafor dampening the pulsations from the pump,

comprising a hollow cover, a flexible diaphragm beneath and engaged by the periphery of said cover forming a chamber between the cover and diaphragm; said diaphragm being in the direct line of flow of said solution between said pump and spinneret, and a spring in said chamber supporting said diaphragm.

3. In an apparatus 'for manufacturing threads or filaments from solutions of cellulose or cellulose esters having a pump for pumping the viscousstream to a spinneret, anequalizing device for dampening the pulsations from the pump, comprising a hollow cover, a flexible diaphragm beneath and engaged by the periphery of said cover forming a chamber between the cover and diaphragm, said diaphragm being in the direct line of flow of said solution between said pump and spinneret, and a conical coil spring in said chamber supporting said diaphragm.

4. In an apparatus for manufacturing threads or filaments from solutions of cellulose or cellu lose esters having a pump for pumping the viscous stream to a spirmeret, an equalizing device for dampening the pulsations from the pump,comprising a hollow cover, a flexible diaphragm beneath and engaged by the periphery of said cover forming a chamber between the cover and diaphragm, said diaphragm being in the direct line of -flow of said solution betweencsaid pump and spinneret, a coil spring in said chamber supporting said diaphragm, and a disc seat for the end of said spring at thediaphragm.

5. in an apparatus for manufacturing threads or filaments from solutions of cellulose or cellulose esters having a pump for pumping the viscous stream to a spinneret, an equalizing device for dampening the pulsations from the pump, comprising a hollow cover, a'flexible diaphragm beneath and engaged by the periphery of said cover forming a chamber between the cover and diaphragm. aid diaphragm being in the direct line of flow of said solution between said pump and spinneret, a teat on said cover, agcoil spring in said chamber supporting said diaphragm, one end of said spring being seated around said teat, and a disc resting on said diaphragm providing a seat for the other end of said spring.

6. In an apparatus for manufacturing threads or filaments from solutions of cellulose or cellulose esters having a pump for pumping the viscous stream to a spinneret, an equalizing device for dampening the pulsations from the pump, comprising a hollow cover, a flexible diaphragm beneath and engaged by the periphery of said cover forming a chamber between the cover and diaphragm, said diaphragm being in the direct line of flow of said solution between said pump and spinneret, and a rubber cushioning medium in said chamber supporting said diaphragm.

7. In an apparatus for manufacturing threads or filaments from solutions of cellulose or cellulose esters having a pump for pumping the viscous stream to a spinneret, an equalizing device for dampening the pulsations from the pump, comprising a hollow cover, a flexible diaphragm beneath and engaged by the periphery of the cover forming a chamber between the cover and diaphragm, said diaphragm being in the direct line of flow of said solution between said pump and spinneret, and a sponge rubber cushion in said chamber supporting said diaphragm.

8. In an apparatus for manufacturing threads or filaments from solutions of cellulose or cellulose esters having a pump for pumping the viscousstream to a spinneret, an equalizing device for dampening the pulsations from the pump, comprising a hollow cover, a flexible diaphragm beneath and engaged by the periphery of said cover forming a chamber between the cover and diaphragm, said diaphragm being in the direct line of flow of said solution between said pump and spinneret, and a truncated, conical rubber block in saidchamber supporting said diaphragm.

9. In an apparatus for manufacturing threads or filaments from solutions of cellulose or cellulose esters having a pump for pumping the viscous stream to a spinneret, an equalizing device 

